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No Ronaldo is massive boost for Manchester City: Richards

Manchester City defender Micah Richards is optimistic ahead of Sunday`s derby with Manchester United, partly because of the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped hole in the champions` squad.

London: Manchester City defender Micah Richards is optimistic ahead of Sunday`s derby with Manchester United, partly because of the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped hole in the champions` squad.
Ronaldo`s summer move to Real Madrid means that the Citizens stand a better chance of success than if the Portuguese superstar was still at Old Trafford. Richards is confident that his side can return from their trip to Salford with three points. "United have always lost big stars in the past and they always manage to replace them but Ronaldo not playing is a massive positive for us," Richards said. "Hopefully we won`t be thinking about them, and concentrating on what we are going to do.” "Last year was disappointing but I don`t think they were that much better than us. They didn`t wallop us off the park. But we showed two years ago [when City won at Old Trafford], with a lesser team than we have now, what you can do by putting in 100 per cent.” "This is definitely the test for us. It`s always going to be hard going to Old Trafford but a couple of seasons ago we completed the double over them by winning there and I don`t see any reason why we can`t do it this year.” "We are up for it. We have better players now and are relishing it. We love the challenge and playing in the derby will be unbelievable for the players. We have a couple of new faces who haven`t experienced a Manchester derby before but I am sure that once the whistle blows they will be up for it." City continued their unbeaten start to the season last weekend when they beat Arsenal 4-2 in a controversial encounter at Eastlands, and despite manager Mark Hughes`s striking options being seriously reduced by injury and suspensions, Richards maintains it is vital that the Sky Blues go on the offensive on Sunday. "The most important thing is that we go out there and express ourselves," he added. "We did that against Arsenal – normally against the bigger teams, our players hold back but we were outstanding and showed we have no fear.” "If we give 100 per cent, who knows what can happen?" Goal.com